Police say severed leg found in Incheon likely medical waste

Police on Thursday initially concluded that a dismembered human leg found at a recycling facility in Incheon was highly likely to be medical waste — not a piece of evidence of brutal crime.

“The body part discovered at the recycling center is highly likely to belong to an individual who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital,” the Incheon Yeonsu Police Precinct said in its media notice.

“The National Forensic Service is conducting an urgent DNA analysis upon our requests,” the Incheon police said.

The investigation began after a recycling facility staffer discovered a part of a human’s left leg wrapped in bandages among discarded waste at around 2:28 p.m. on June 10.

The severed leg measured 41 centimeters (16 inches) from just below the knee to the heel, and the foot was 210 millimeters (8.3 inches) long, according to police measurements.

Police established a 64-member investigation unit and focused on identifying the victim by comparing biological data from missing persons and analyzing nearby CCTV footage.

On Monday, the forensic agency said that the remains were believed to be those of an adult standing between 161 and 165 centimeters (5 feet, 3 inches and 5 feet, 5 inches) tall.

Police have since continued investigating under the assumption that the victim was more likely an adult than a young student.

BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]